A Captivating Mystery Abounds In Heaven

If you are looking for a good book for a tween, you should consider reading Heaven by Angela Johnson. In a beautiful and poetical way, Angela Johnson introduces a character named Marley and turns her into a lovable, witty 14-year-old with ambition as big as an elephant.

Marley has lived in Heaven for most of her life, at least ever since her mother found a postcard that said Heaven, OH, and decided to move there. Heaven is where Marley feels most at home. She has a family who loves her, and friends named Shoogy, Bobby and Feather, the girl she babysits. She also gets letters from a mysterious Uncle Jack, whom she’s never met.

Then the mystery is solved when a letter arrives from Alabama that changes Marley’s life forever. She is crushed, because the people she thought she could trust, have lied to her. Should she apologize, or yell? Will she keep her distance, or should she cuddle up and ask questions? Read this book to figure out the answers.

I really loved this book because of the mystery that lingered throughout most of the book. WHO is Uncle Jack? WHY has he never visited Marley and her family? I also enjoy Angela Johnson’s writing style. She writes in such a compelling and captivating way that you will wish that you were there. Come back to my blog on Thursday to read my interview with Angela Johnson!

I recommend this award-winning book to readers who like the book Brown Girl Dreaming by Jacqueline Woodson. Like Brown Girl Dreaming, Heaven is a slow-moving, heartwarming book that will make you want cry your eyes out, or stomp your feet in anger. You will get so attached to these characters that you will feel whatever the author wants you to feel. This book will appeal to anyone ages 10+. It’s part of a trilogy. The First Part Last and Sweet, Hereafter are the other two books in the trilogy.